Hillary Clinton greets Bangladeshis on New Year

Dhaka, April 12 (DPA) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Sunday sent a New Year message to all Bangladeshis living across the world ahead of the Bengali New Year 1416 - which is celebrated Tuesday. “I send greetings to all around the world who are observing Pahela Boishakh (the first day of Bengali calendar), the New Year festivity celebrated by those who share common Bengali culture,” Clinton said in a message released by the US embassy in Dhaka.

Sharing a common cultural heritage, Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal celebrate the Bengali New Year with huge festivities.

“As you welcome the year 1416, I salute the spirit of tolerance and shared linguistic and cultural heritage that brings so many together, regardless of religion or nationality, to usher in a new year with music, drama, and traditional foods,” added Clinton in her statement.

She hoped for a new beginning as the world was passing through the greatest economic challenges in generations.

“We all must stand together to embrace the New Year’s promise of rebirth and renewal. It is our shared hope for the future - our shared dream of a better world for our children - that brings us all together to celebrate our common humanity,” Clinton said wishing “Shubho Nobo Borsho! (Happy New Year)”.

Bangladesh saw a large-scale mutiny by border patrol guards in February, threatening the new government of Sheikh Hasina after two years of military-backed emergency rule.